Justice Judith McConnell noted increased attacks on the judiciary in the past decade, “often because of unpopular decisions.” She said many Americans are “surprisingly ignorant” of the fact that there are three branches of government, and she urged everyone in the audience to “do what we can to preserve our constitutional system. We need to ensure that all members of our community, including our children, appreciate and support the democracy we love.”
August 11, 2019
Video: Margaret Brent Award recipient Justice Judith McConnell
McConnell is presiding justice of the Fourth District, Division 1 of the California Courts of Appeal. She was appointed to the court in 2001, served as administrative presiding justice of the Fourth Appellate District since 2003 and served 23 years as a trial judge in San Diego. In 1970, McConnell was a founding member of the San Diego chapter of the National Organization for Women, and was a founder and first president of the Lawyers Club of San Diego. She is former president of the National Association of Women Judges and chaired the California State Senate Task Force on Family Equity, where she was outspoken on the gender bias interactions of daily courtroom life. In 2001, McConnell was named Jurist of the Year by the California Judicial Council. She is also a member of the San Diego Women’s Hall of Fame.